Local artists, artisans and musicians will be on hand at the second annual Village Summer Festival in Ocean Park July 18-20.

The three-day festival, organized by Ocean Park resident, business owner and business association president Jill Martyniuk, began in 2013 after years of wanting to hold something in her community similar to the market in Ladner.

“I wanted to bring awareness of Ocean Park Village – not only is it great for shopping, but we have beautiful trails, the eagles and more,” she said. “There is so much to see and do, and so many people are drawn to the big-box stores, but we’re an area you don’t see very often anymore.”

The festival will kick off with a free movie night Friday at dusk for all ages.

The giant inflatable screen will be playing The Lego Movie in the Safeway Parking lot. Prior to the feature presentation, there will be performances by local musicians Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris.

Martyniuk noted that sponsors for the event will also provide treats and activities for the kids.

“It’s a real community event. Everyone has come together to make it a success,” Martyniuk said, noting she expects attendance to exceed last year’s 500 people.

The following day will feature an outdoor vendor market closed to foot traffic only. There will be 30 vendors as well as musicians doing two-hour sets throughout the day.

“It’s very intimate and there will be all kinds of talented musicians and vendors at the market,” Martyniuk said. “Last year, there was a real electric energy and I was really impressed with how it all went, and so were the vendors. They’re all back this year.”

An added event to this year’s festival will be an art show at Ocean Park Hall featuring 12 local artists. Marilyn Atkey, Debra Gow, Marilyn Hurst, David Patterson, Lee Caufield, Mac Grieve, Gary McDonald, Sheila Symington, Eileen Fong, Neil Hamelin, Glenn Morgan and Bob Wakefield will be at the hall showcasing their original pieces Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The (art show) is another example of all the support we’ve received. The community association let us use it for the two days,” Martyniuk said. “The community has been so giving and so involved. It’s really great.”

Ocean Park Village Pub will host a beach party with special menus and drinks, Martyniuk added.

Local businesses have also banded together to help make the festival a success, Martyniuk noted, providing insurance, cars, prizes and more.

For the final day, the main event will be a free pancake breakfast sponsored by Safeway benefitting the Ocean Park Fire Fighters charity, followed by a golf-putting contest put on by Physio Moves.

“Last year, we ran out of supplies three times,” Martyniuk said. “This year, we are planning to see four to five hundred people. It’s a great opportunity for our community to connect,” she said.

The steady increase anticipated is something that Martyniuk hopes will continue in years to come.

“We have so much to offer and we want to share it with people, not just from South Surrey and White Rock, but all over the Lower Mainland. I hope the festival will grow and that we can take it to all four corners of Ocean Park,” Martyniuk said. “I hope it’s something they mark on their calendar.”

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